Towards a multi-core certification Job-Aid for AMC 20-193

Abstract

Multi-Core Processors (MCPs) are ubiquitous in modern electronic devices. However, their exploitation within the high criticality domains, specifically that of aerospace, introduces challenges. The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) recently released harmonised guidance in the form of Acceptable Means of Compliance (AMC) 20-193, which details what is required, from a certification perspective, to enable the use of MCPs for satisfying airworthiness requirements. Although regulatory authorities have withdrawn Job Aids for standards such as DO-178 and DO-254, they are an effective method of showing compliance to standards and widely used by assessors. Understanding MCPs is, however, non-trivial and requires significant expertise not only of the device itself, but also how software will be architected and executed, along with how system level safety considerations are to be employed, all to ensure safe application of this technology. Thus, within this paper the authors, through the provision of an assessment of the what detailed in AMC 20-193, give an in-depth analysis into the intent behind the 10 objectives set out in this new AMC. The aim of the paper is to provide a foundation upon which Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) might construct their own Job Aid. Through its discussions, it is the authors intention that this paper enables a common understanding against which an applicant, assessor, and authority can interpret the how when looking to achieve the what set out in AMC 20-193.